SHE’S had to wait until the final day of London 2012 and doesn’t yet class herself as an Olympian, but Clitheroe’s Samantha Murray is adamant her Olympic debut will be worth the wait.

Murray was chosen for the women’s modern pentathlon for London 2012 in June but, such has been the scheduling, she has watched 15 of the 16 days of the Games pass by without having anything to do.

That is of course aside from training and preparations, with Murray finally getting her chance to shine tomorrow when the women’s modern pentathlon competition takes place.

And the 22-year-old will take to the Copper Box, Aquatics Centre and Greenwich Park for the five disciplines – fencing, swimming, riding and combined run and shoot – as a genuine medal contender.

She was part of a British one-three at the World Championships in Rome in May – Mhairi Spence claiming gold and Murray bronze to effectively win a stiff selection battle for London 2012.

And, having proved herself at the World Championships, a competition she believes is stronger than the Olympics, Murray wants to mark the wait with another medal.

“I’m hoping to achieve what every athlete hopes to achieve at the Olympics – I want to win a medal,” said Murray.

“We’re going to have a home crowd behind us, I’ve got tickets for my family, and that should give me the surge.

“The World Championships is arguably a stronger competition than the Olympics, but even so, you never know what will happen in competition, and all the big names will be there.

“And when I wake up on Sunday and do the competition, then I become an Olympian.

“Until then, I have just had to stay injury-free.”

Murray is well aware of Britain’s reputation in the women’s modern pentathlon at the Olympics – they haven’t failed to medal since being added alongside the men’s at Sydney. That amounts to four medals including a silver in Beijing from Heather Fell – someone Murray and Spence ousted by performing so well at the World Championships.

However Murray admits following in her and all the others footsteps is easier said than done.

She added: “There are a lot of uncontrollable elements in pentathlon.”

* Lloyds TSB, proud supporter of Team GB and proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Get closer to the Games at lloydstsb.com/london2012.